Modeling the productivity of precast concrete operations

• Main Author: Ali Najafi
• Other Authors: Tiong Lee Kong, Robert
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Construction management
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/59232
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Despite the extensive use of precast concrete (PC) elements in different construction projects such as high rise residential and commercial buildings, there is no study to provide details about the factors that affect productivity of PC erection (installation) process and model the productivity of the installation activities in an academic fashion. The thesis is organized to address this research gap. Primary data regarding installations of 303 PC elements (walls, columns, beams, and slabs) were collected through direct observation and several controllable and uncontrollable factors influencing the productivity of the erection process were identified. New hybrid models using Method Productivity Delay Model, Multiple Regression Analysis, Artificial Neural Networks, and construction simulation were developed to calculate the delay factor which was in turn used to form the final models to provide accurate estimations of the installation times of PC components. Based on the results, several suggestions are provided to increase the productivity of PC installation process and directions for future research are discussed.